005 Chater Lea 545cc Side Valve AA Patrol Combination (1936)
Chater Lea 545cc Side Valve AA Patrol Combination (1936) Engine 545cc SV with mechanical oiling, Lucas Magdyno, AMAL carburettor
In the mid 1920's Chater Lea started producing their own engines and later moved to newer premises in the developement Letworth Garden City. The range of machine was then reduced to three models, including the 5455cc side valve which had started life as a Sports machine. This model had found favour with the AA (Automobile Association) as a good strong reliable combination outfit. Over the years a total of 1200 of these combinations were supplied to the AA, the last one in July 1936
The AA Motorcycle patrolman was a welcome sight to early motorists and a common sight on British roads with his sidecar laden with tools and useful spares. They patrolled a regular beat looking for stranded members and calling in at the roadside AA phone boxes to check if a member had telephoned base with a problem. But they also had a secondary task, part of their duty was to salute all members displaying their AA badges on their vehicles, if they failed to salute a member was expected to stop the patrolman (ps. i dont think there were any Patrol Ladies - if so apologies) to ask why they had not received said salute. Normally the reason was deliberate, in so much that if a patrolman had spotted a Police speed check up the road, he was legally unable to stop his members and warn them, but if the member stopped him and asked why he had failed to salute he could then quiet legally tell them.
Many thanks for a fantabulous
49,326,o42 views
Shot 26.05.2016 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, Birmingham REF 115-005
005 Chater Lea 545cc Side Valve AA Patrol Combination (1936)
Chater Lea 545cc Side Valve AA Patrol Combination (1936) Engine 545cc SV with mechanical oiling, Lucas Magdyno, AMAL carburettor
In the mid 1920's Chater Lea started producing their own engines and later moved to newer premises in the developement Letworth Garden City. The range of machine was then reduced to three models, including the 5455cc side valve which had started life as a Sports machine. This model had found favour with the AA (Automobile Association) as a good strong reliable combination outfit. Over the years a total of 1200 of these combinations were supplied to the AA, the last one in July 1936
The AA Motorcycle patrolman was a welcome sight to early motorists and a common sight on British roads with his sidecar laden with tools and useful spares. They patrolled a regular beat looking for stranded members and calling in at the roadside AA phone boxes to check if a member had telephoned base with a problem. But they also had a secondary task, part of their duty was to salute all members displaying their AA badges on their vehicles, if they failed to salute a member was expected to stop the patrolman (ps. i dont think there were any Patrol Ladies - if so apologies) to ask why they had not received said salute. Normally the reason was deliberate, in so much that if a patrolman had spotted a Police speed check up the road, he was legally unable to stop his members and warn them, but if the member stopped him and asked why he had failed to salute he could then quiet legally tell them.
Many thanks for a fantabulous
49,326,o42 views
Shot 26.05.2016 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, Birmingham REF 115-005